Toy projectile



Jan. 17, 1933.

Leefiafiiaiz WZZZZ'JWJ L. B. WILLIAMS TOY PROJEGTILE Filed Sept. 29, 1931 patented Jan. 17, 1933 UNITED STATES LEE BARTON WILLIAMS, or PITTSBURGH, P NNSYLVANIA TOY PROJECTILE Application filed September 29, 1931. serial no; 565,857.

This invention relates to toys of the projectile type, the primary object of the invention being to provide a device which may be projected into the air by any suitable means, the device being so constructed that a para chute carried thereby, will be released as the device starts to descend, to the end that the projectile will float gracefully to the earth, affording amusement for the spectators. t An important object of the invention isthe provision of a device of this character comprising a body portion formed of hingedly connected sections, within which a parachute is folded, novel means being provided to au tomatically open the body portion, releasing the parachute to support the body portion in its downward flight.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for normally holding the sections of the body portion in their closed positions, means being provided and operated by the turning of the body portion in the air for opening the sections of the body portion.

With. the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes 39 in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the projectile in its open condition and supported by the parachute.

Figure 2 is an elevational View of the body portion or projectile in its closed position.

Figure 3 is a fragmental sectional View of the body portion illustrating the latch and I actuating means in detail.

I Figure 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on line H of Figure2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the projectile which is indicated generally by the reference character 5 is hollow in construc-' tion, the same being constructed of light material to ofier little resistence as it is being projected into the air.

As shown, the body portion comprises sections 6 and 7 connected by means of the spring hinges 8 which normally act to urge the sections to their openipositions. e

The body'portion is constructed'to 'simulate the human body,the foot andleg portlons of the body being weightedso that when the deviceis shot into the air feet first, the body portion will turn causing the body portion to descend feet first. 1 I

Supported'within one of the sections of the body portion, is a tube. indicated by the reference character, 9, which tube is closed at the end nearest the head of the body. portion, while the opposite end of the tube is open to accommodate the free end of the pivoted latch 10, which is carried by the opposite section of the body portion. V

Due to they construction ofthe body portion, thepivoted latch is held in its latching position, by the frictional contact between the latch and body portion, caused by the action of the spring hinges 8.

The reference character 11 designates a ball which is supported within the tube 9, the ball vbeingfree to move longitudinally of the tube, when the body portion is turned end'forend.

Thus itlwill beseen'that when the projectile is shot into the air feet first, the ball will lie at the lower end of thetube, or near the head of the bodyportion, but when the body portion loses itsmomentum and: is inverted, the ball will fall to the opposite end of the tube, strikingthe free end of the pivoted latch to cause the latch to move to re lease the sections of the body portion. I

The sections of the body portion will now swing open to positions as shown by Figure l of the drawing.

The reference character 12 designates a parachute which is connected to the head 13,

by means of the cord 14.

The parachute is of a construction to be folded within the body portion between the sections thereof, so that when the body portion is opened, theparachute will unfold and assume a position as shown by Figure 1 thereby olfering resistence and causing the body portion to fioatgradually to earth, affording amusement to the spectators.

The reference chracter 15 designates a Whistle of the type operated by the air rushing through the whistle. Thus it will be seen that as the device is shot into the air, a wistling sound will be produced to attract the attention of people standing near the operator of the device.

Although the body portion has been shown and described as in a form to simulate the human body, it is to be understood that the design of the body portion may be changed to meet various requirements, without departing from the spirit of the invention. a

- While I have not illustrated the means for projecting the body portion into the air, it is to be understood that any suitable means such 'as a'slingshot or similar mechanism may beemployed for this purpose.

I claim t 1. A projectile toy comprising a hollow body portion including hingedly connected sections, means for urging the sections to their open positions, a latchat one end of the body portion for normally holding the seotionsio'f the body portion closed, a tube within the body portion and extending to one end of the body portion, said latch member extending into the tube, a weight within the tube and adapted'to gravitate to one end of the tube releasing the latch, and a parachute held within the body portion, and

adapted to unfold to support the body portion when the body portion opens and floats to the earth.

2. A projectile toy comprising a hollow body portion including hingedly connected sections, means for normally urging the sections' to :their open position, a latch member for normally holding the sections of the body portion closed, a weight Within the body portion, means for guiding the weight into engagement with the latch releasing the latch to open the body portion, and a parachute heldwithinthe body portionuand adapted to unfold when the body portion opens.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature.

LEE BARTON 'WILLIAMS. 

